Programme Manager (Highways/Roads)- Leeds

About The Role

FDM is a global business and technology consultancy seeking an experienced Programme Manager to support our client with the delivery of a major portfolio of infrastructure projects.

You will play a key role in leading the successful delivery of multiple concurrent highways, roads, and active travel initiatives across the Leeds region, supporting city-wide regeneration and transport improvement programmes. Working in a client-side environment, you will collaborate with local authorities, delivery partners, contractors, and senior public sector stakeholders to ensure projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and in line with strategic objectives.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to high-profile public sector infrastructure programmes that will have a lasting impact on regional connectivity, sustainable transport, and economic growth across West Yorkshire.

This contract runs initially until March 2027, with the potential for extension. The role requires attendance within the Leeds or West Yorkshire area approximately one day per week, with the remainder of the time working remotely.

About the Role:

We are seeking an experienced Programme Manager with a strong highways and roads infrastructure background to oversee a portfolio of construction and transport projects delivered under the Transforming Cities Fund programme.

You will be responsible for coordinating multiple projects simultaneously, managing stakeholder relationships, overseeing programme governance, and ensuring the successful delivery of capital investment initiatives. Working closely with local authorities, engineers, contractors, and senior leaders, you will provide programme leadership across a complex and evolving infrastructure environment.

The role requires exceptional stakeholder management, commercial awareness, programme governance, and delivery leadership capabilities. You will act as a trusted client-side representative, ensuring alignment between delivery partners and strategic programme objectives.

Responsibilities:

• Leading the delivery of multiple concurrent highways, roads, and transport infrastructure projects across the portfolio
• Providing programme oversight for major capital investment and regeneration initiatives
• Managing programme governance, reporting, and assurance activities across all projects
• Developing and maintaining programme delivery plans, schedules, and performance metrics
• Coordinating internal and external stakeholders, including local authorities, contractors, consultants, and delivery partners
• Monitoring programme risks, issues, dependencies, and mitigation activities
• Ensuring projects are delivered in accordance with agreed budgets, timelines, and quality standards
• Supporting procurement, commercial, and contract management activities where required
• Providing regular programme reporting and delivery updates to senior leadership and governance boards
• Facilitating stakeholder meetings, workshops, and decision-making forums
• Ensuring alignment between programme activities and wider regional transport and regeneration strategies
• Acting as a client-side representative to drive successful delivery outcomes across the infrastructure portfolio

About You

• Proven experience working as a Programme Manager within highways, roads, transport, or civil infrastructure environments
• Demonstrable experience managing multiple complex projects concurrently within a programme setting
• Strong understanding of highway construction, road improvement, transport infrastructure, and public realm projects
• Experience overseeing large capital investment programmes and funding portfolios
• Strong programme governance, reporting, and stakeholder management experience
• Experience working within local government, local authority, council, combined authority, or wider public sector environments
• Ability to manage complex stakeholder relationships across multiple organisations and delivery partners
• Strong commercial, financial, and risk management capabilities
• Excellent communication, leadership, and influencing skills
• Ability to operate effectively within a client-side delivery environment

Nice to Have

• Experience delivering Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) or similar government-funded infrastructure programmes
• Knowledge of active travel, cycling, walking, and sustainable transport initiatives
• Experience working with Combined Authorities or regional transport bodies
• Familiarity with NEC contract frameworks and construction programme delivery
• Experience managing consultancy and contractor delivery partners
• APM, MSP, PRINCE2, Chartered Project Professional (ChPP), or equivalent programme management qualifications
• Experience supporting wider regeneration, placemaking, or urban redevelopment initiatives

About Us

FDM is an award-winning global leader in tech and business talent solutions, backed by more than 35 years of industry experience. We have centres across Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific, and a global workforce of over 2500 employees. FDM has shown exponential growth throughout the years, firmly establishing itself as an award-winning employer, currently listed on the FTSE4Good Index and as a 2026 Financial Times UK ‘Best Employer’.

Diversity and Inclusion

FDM Group is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other status protected by federal, provincial or local laws.

Why join us

• Career coaching, mentoring and access to upskilling throughout your entire FDM career
• Assignments with global companies and opportunities to work abroad
• Opportunity to re-skill and up-skill into new areas, develop non-linear career paths and build a skillset within your field
• Annual leave and work-place pension